La Tavola D'Oro has proven popular with locals in and around the quaint Somerset town of Shepton Mallet for some years now, thanks to some good, homely Italian cooking. There are a few decent options for those looking for a restaurant in the centre of town, but few offer the same quality and range of choice as La Tavola, and there's plenty of space inside for those who wish to dine in.
The interiors are sophisticated, if a little plain. Dark wood tables, flowers on the tables and leather-bound chairs give the restaurant a smart, chic vibe, and it's bright and spacious thanks to plenty of windows, as well as an array of LED spotlights in the ceiling.
The menu has a huge range of options, certainly enough to please anyone. Things start off with bread - focaccia, bruschetta, crostini and more - alongside antipasti like calamari fritti, caprese salad, deep-fried mozzarella in tomato sauce and Italian cured meats. If this sounds like a lot of choice, it is, but you'll want to leave room as there's plenty more to come. All your favourite pasta dishes are here - spaghetti Bolognese, spaghetti Carbonara, Cannelloni con carne, lasagne and penne amatriciana, among others - and there are lots of risotto dishes too, such as seafood risotto, vegetarian risotto and scallop risotto. On top of that, expect grilled fish and steaks alongside classic Italian mains like chicken Milanese and veal escalope cooked in lemon and white wine. Or, you can plump for a pizza - there's a huge range of traditional toppings available, as well as a kids menu for those who prefer smaller portions.
Wines typically focus on well-known Italian grapes like Montepulciano, Chianti and Pinot Grigio, and there are beers, spirits and soft drinks available too.